Growing up in Wilmington and spending a lot of time on the water with his family, it was at a young age that John had begun to realize the awesome power of the sun. It was John’s long term passion for alternative energy that led to the creation of Cape Fear Solar Systems. Prior to establishing Cape Fear Solar, John worked overseas in the aerospace industry, leading international business development activities for one of the main industry players.  John holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University, and an MBA from the University of Bridgeport. Throughout his professional training and education, he has obtained multiple certifications related to the design and the installation of the renewable energy systems. John is also an NC Licensed General Contractor.

A childhood on the pristine North Carolina coast instilled a deep respect for the natural world, and a sense of responsibility for its well-being in Robert. After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in Economics and Environmental Studies, he is excited to be working in the rapidly growing solar energy industry. Robert is passionate about helping bring a clean and secure energy future to the Wilmington area, and is happy to assist customers with any questions throughout the completion of their solar project. Robert is NABCEP® PV Certified Solar Installer (#PV-041616-013206).

Emily grew up in Poland, and moved to the United States in the early 2000s. She graduated from Saint Joseph’s College in Patchogue, NY with a bachelor degree in accounting. Her strong understanding of taxes, billing, and internal record keeping was enhanced with experience from numerous tax offices in the New York City area. Being a mother to four children, she is dedicated to raising her kids with a great understanding and appreciation of the environmental issues effecting the Earth.

License #: 44740

After spending nearly a decade vacationing in Wilmington, Cassandra is now proud to call North Carolina home after relocating in 2014 from Chicago, Illinois. As a seasoned Brand and Marketing Manager, Cassandra enjoys the fast-paced, ever-changing atmosphere of the advertising world and has led marketing efforts for many respected brands. Cassandra’s great sense of community connected her with the Azalea Festival, where she serves as Co-Chair of the Boxing Committee. When she is not performing marketing activities or illuminating the value of solar energy, Cassandra can be found with her family at the beach, walking her dog, or boxing. Cassandra is a registered USA Boxing athlete, official, and coach.

Jaclyn is originally from Massachusetts, where she studied at Bridgewater State University. After working in the restaurant industry for 11 years, she decided to put her degree and people skills to work and joined Cape Fear Solar Systems as our Human Resources Coordinator in March of 2023. Jaclyn is excited to help maintain a sunny company culture and keep us organized. Outside of the office, you can typically find her at the beach or cooking up something tasty in the kitchen under the careful supervision of her cat, Munchie.

Kayla is a Wilmington native with a passion for storytelling. With an extensive background in multimedia production, she joined Cape Fear Solar Systems as a Marketing Associate in February of 2022. You’re most likely to find her at a community event or cultivating our online presence while jamming out to music. In her free time, Kayla loves being outdoors and checking out the local restaurants. A big foodie, she especially enjoys sushi, chocolate, and Italian.

Gabe grew up in Manchester, Maryland before moving to Fuquay Varina, North Carolina in 2006. He originally started with Cape Fear Solar in 2018 as a summer intern. Gabe attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where he obtained a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing Strategy and a minor in Spanish. He is eager to help others see the benefits of renewable solar energy while contributing to a hardworking and passionate team. Gabe loves to play sports and referees soccer during his weekends, so don’t be surprised if you see him taking in the sun at the local park!

John Padden is originally from Parkersburg, WV. After obtaining his business degree from WVU in 2015, John spent two years as an Operations Manager in the home building industry. In 2017 John relocated to Philadelphia where he obtained his master’s degree in Marketing and Data Analytics. Philadelphia is also where John entered the renewable energy sector working as solar developer. In December of 2019 John joined Cape Fear Solar Systems as the Raleigh Territory Residential Solar Project Developer. In February of 2021 John relocated to Oak Island to service all of Brunswick Country. John enjoys basketball, weightlifting, hiking, and traveling.

Dar first visited North Carolina’s coast in his wetsuit as a professional Scuba Instructor in 2016. In 2021, he decided that it would be a perfect place to settle with his family, bringing with him experience in the solar industry from his home state of Massachusetts. He considers it a privilege to help Cape Fear’s residents establish a sustainable and energy independent future for their communities.

When he’s not working, he can be found exploring the shipwrecks of the Graveyard at the Atlantic, or planning his next culinary adventure. You might also get to know his chocolate lab, Sharky, terrorizing the dog parks of Wilmington.

Dar is is a NABCEP® PV Technical Sales Professional (#TS-042523-013639).

Matt grew up in Raleigh, NC, before moving to Wilmington in 2018. As a student at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, he will graduate in the Spring of 2022 with a degree in Business Administration concentrating in Finance and Marketing Strategy, and a minor in Psychology. Aside from school, Matt enjoys working with people in an environment that is always changing and rapidly growing. He enjoys fitness and nutrition, athletics, and he loves to stay active by taking advantage of the outdoor activities that the Wilmington coast provides. Matt is excited to work and learn with the Cape Fear Solar Systems Team.

Originally from Mesa, Arizona, Caleb joined Cape Fear Solar Systems as a Residential Project Developer in October of 2022. His favorite part of working at CFSS has to be getting to meet a lot of really cool people in our community and helping them decide is solar is right for them. When he’s not in the office or in the field, Caleb can usually be found on a golf course, perfecting his swing.

Kristen is a North Carolina native with a people-first mindset. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and Supply Chain Management in 2017 from East Carolina University (go pirates!) and later joined Cape Fear Solar Systems as a Residential Project Developer. She is passionate about environmental matters and appreciates the opportunity to assist homeowners live a more sustainable life. Kristen enjoys hunting for shark’s teeth, taking her dog to the dog park, and learning new plant-based recipes.

Alex is a North Carolina native with a sunny personality and strong work ethic. After attending Cape Fear Community College, Alex worked his way up through Cape Fear Solar Systems–starting as an installer in 2020, before transitioning to the warehouse in 2021, and then being promoted to Project Consultant in 2022. He is passionate about learning the latest developments in the solar industry and enjoys boating, fishing, and relaxing with his family.

Raised in North Carolina, Christina joined Cape Fear Solar Systems in 2022 after attending the University of North Carolina at Asheville. With an extensive customer service background, she enjoys helping guide customers throughout the installation process while simultaneously helping the environment. When she’s not championing our community, Christina can be found wherever there’s live music.

Will Parker is a born and raised North Carolinian, and joined Cape Fear Solar in May of 2019. He originally joined the team as a solar installer, and eventually transitioned to his current position as Commercial Project Associate. Within Will’s role, he enjoys learning about sustainable technology, while being a part of a larger goal to offset carbon emissions. In his free time, he likes to go hiking, surfing, and play basketball.

Daniel joined Cape Fear Solar Systems as a solar installer and his skills led him to a position as our Project Manager. With a background in Environmental Science and Economics at the University of North Carolina, Daniel’s knowledge of the environment and his understanding of what goes into making the world sustainable will benefit Cape Fear Solar Systems.

Michael grew up in Greensboro, NC before moving to Wilmington in 2012. Growing up, Michael has always had an immense appreciation for the outdoors and prefers to spend his free time at the beach, going fishing, or golfing with friends. Michael graduated from UNCW with a B.S in Biology, a B.S. in Environmental Science, and a minor in Spanish Language. He joined the CFSS team his senior year as an Operations Management Intern but has since transitioned to his current role as Development Coordinator. He loves building relationships with our customers and working hard to take new projects from start to finish as quickly as possible. Michael is a NABCEP® PV Associate (#PVA-020522-014094).

Growing up in Wilmington, Zach has always had a strong passion for nature and helping humanity become more sustainable. Zach has experience in many areas of sustainability, such as algae biodiesel, wind energy, and energy modeling. After going through the Cape Fear Community College Sustainability Technologies program, he became passionate about all forms of renewable energy and architectural design. He focused his time on learning programs like Sketchup and AutoCAD for personal projects, which became key skill sets of his career. After working in construction, Zach began working for Cape Fear Solar Systems as a design associate.

After joining Cape Fear Solar systems in 2020 as a solar installer, John moved over to the design team. He believes that Cape Fear Solar Systems enables the team and its customers to make a measurable difference in taking ownership of our carbon footprint. After work, you may see him cycling around town or playing shows with his friends at local venues.

Derek is originally from North Carolina and joined Cape Fear Solar in December of 2020 as a solar electrician. His favorite part about his job is climbing through rafters and on ladders. In Derek’s free time he’s surfing, playing music, and hanging out with his chickens.

After spending 25 years, as an electrical engineer in the power industry, Sarah is excited to play a part in society’s current move to renewable power sources. She has experience in various roles that coordinate technical details to implement and install power equipment. She is a midwestern transplant, that raised her family in Charlotte, NC. Sarah loves the beach and the Wilmington area’s coast has been the family’s vacation location for decades. Now it is home!

Originally from Honduras, Gemma is currently studying at UNCW for her Bachelors in Business Administration: Accounting and working to become a CPA.  She has a bubbly personality and loves getting to connect with a lot of different people throughout her workday. In her free time, you can find her listening to music or swimming at the beach.

Kyle joined the Cape Fear Solar team in 2012, bringing with him over a decade of construction experience. Most of that past experience is in the plumbing field, which equipped him with a strong work ethic and keen attention to detail.  Kyle has developed a meticulous eye for the varying components of top quality solar projects. The energy and sustainability field is an exciting industry to be a part of for Kyle.  Installing solar was something new to him as a career, but he was instantly a natural.  Kyle is OSHA certified in construction safety and has successfully passed both, the NABCEP® Photovoltaic and NABCEP® Solar Heating Entry Level Exams. Recently, Kyle achieved a NABCEP® PV Installation Professional Certification (#PV-042217-015127). Kyle is also a certificated electrician for both North and South Carolina.

Originally from Massachusetts, Jackson attended the Massachusetts College of Art and Design before joining Cape Fear Solar in 2021. He has an incredible work ethic and loves problem solving when doing electrical work. In his free time, Jackson can be found flying drones or making art. He is also a NABCEP® PV Installation Professional (#PV-070422-013733).

A Wilmington native, Tristen joined Cape Fear Solar Systems as an Electrical Apprentice in January of 2023. He quickly demonstrated his abilities and soon became our Lead Commercial Electrical Technician. When he’s not powering our community, he can be found working on and riding motorcycles or jumping out of airplanes.

Originally from Long Island, New York, Scott joined CFSS as an Electrical Technician in December of 2022. With electrical experience prior to joining the CFSS family, he quickly found his groove within the company. When Scott’s not helping customers harvest solar energy, he can be found hanging out with his family and baby girl.

A North Carolina native, Gabe joined Cape Fear Solar as an installer in October of 2022. Despite no previous solar experience, he proved to be a quick study and advanced to become an Electrical Apprentice and then an Electrical Technician. Gabe loves the opportunities CFSS has given him and looks forward to what the future holds. When he’s not mastering his craft, he can be found lifting at the gym or gaming with friends.

A Jacksonville native, Benedict gained experience in photovoltaics with a couple other solar companies before joining Cape Fear Solar in May of 2023. He enjoys the hands-on experience of electrical work and being able to help his community go solar. When Benedict’s not busy getting new systems hooked up, he can often be found jamming out on his guitar or trumpet.

A Wilmington native, Fletcher joined Cape Fear Solar in June of 2023 after graduating from Appalachian State University with a degree in Sustainable Technology. He installed solar for four years in the Virgin Islands before joining CFSS and loves watching homeowners’ reactions when their solar systems get turned on for the first time. When Fletcher is not out in the field, you can most often find him surfing, skateboarding, or gardening.

Originally from Newton, New Jersey, Justin joined Cape Fear Solar as an Electrical Apprentice in July of 2023. He loves how hands-on the job is when building and and servicing systems. When Justin is not enhancing his craft, he’s working on his skydiving certification or biking on the beach.

Originally from Newport, Tennessee, Alex joined Cape Fear Solar Systems in August of 2023. His favorite part about the job is watching how every component works together to power a home. When Alex is not busy installing solar, he is often out hunting or fishing.

Originally from Jacksonville, Texas, Benjamin joined Cape Fear Solar Systems in September of 2023 as an Electrical Apprentice. His favorite part of working at CFSS is getting the chance to increase his electrical expertise while making a difference in the community. In his free time, Benjamin can often be found rebuilding engines or going to the park with his sons.

Nick is born and raised in the South, and joined Cape Fear Solar in June of 2021 as a solar installer. His favorite part about his job is being able to work outside and use his hands. When Nick isn’t installing solar, he is either playing guitar or shredding the gnar.

An Atlanta native, Zak joined Cape Fear Solar Systems in 2022 after climbing utility poles and communication towers. His favorite part of working at CFSS is successfully completing an installation that grants homeowners energy independence. When he’s not on a job site, Zak can be found surfing or playing soccer.

A Wilmington native, Colby joined the Cape Fear Solar Systems team as a Solar Installer in December of 2022. Also a certified lineman, his favorite part of the job is getting to work together as a team to make a lasting impact in our community. When Colby is not up on a roof, you can typically find him surfing, skating, or playing the guitar.

Originally from Jeffersonville, New York, Stephen joined Cape Fear Solar as a Solar Installer in January of 2023. His favorite part about working with CFSS is getting to spend his days outdoors and experience the incredible views from our customers’ rooftops. When he’s back on the ground, you can find him at the gym or riding his motorcycle.

A Kure Beach native, Elijah joined Cape Fear Solar Systems as a Solar Installer in January of 2023. His favorite part of working at CFSS is working as a team to build large solar arrays. When he’s not on a rooftop, you can find him surfing, skating, or playing soccer with his semi pro team.

A Leland native, Ulysses joined Cape Fear Solar Systems as a Solar Installer in February of 2023. His favorite part of the job is working with his hands and helping homeowners go solar. In his free time, he can often be found doing carpentry and woodworking.

Originally from West Virginia, Marvin joined Cape Fear Solar Systems as a Solar Installer in May of 2023. His favorite part of his job is working together as a team to help the community go solar. When he’s back on the ground, you can often find him playing basketball or listening to music.

Originally from Cedarville, Ohio, Ken joined Cape Fear Solar Systems as a Solar Installer in July of 2023. He is a NABCEP® PV Associate (#PVA-013023-014876) and taught elementary school science in Nairobi, Kenya for the past two years. His favorite part of the job is helping people become more energy conscious, while learning more about the science behind photovoltaics, himself! When not on the job, Ken can still be found outdoors, whether at the beach, or playing soccer or tennis.

A Greensboro native, Stephen joined Cape Fear Solar Systems as a Solar Installer in July of 2023, after studying Sustainable Technologies and Green Building at Cape Fear Community College. His favorite part of working at CFSS is seeing just how much our installations help offset our customers’ carbon footprints. When he’s not busy being a solar rockstar, Stephen loves cooking and playing the drums.

A Winston Salem native, Jonathan joined Cape Fear Solar Systems as a Solar Installer in July of 2023. His favorite part of working at CFSS is seeing how much money his installations can save our customers. When he’s not on a rooftop, Jonathan loves skating and filming.

A Mount Airy native, Gabriel joined Cape Fear Solar Systems as a Solar Installer in July of 2023. His favorite part of the job is getting to see more of our coastal environment while out at job sites. When he’s not busy harvesting solar energy, Gabriel enjoys gaming and playing with his two dogs.

A Wilmington native, Robbie joined Cape Fear Solar Systems as a Solar Installer in July of 2023. His favorite part of working at CFSS has to be getting to watch how excited our customers get when the see the final solar arrays on their rooftops. When he’s not up on a roof, Robbie enjoys watching sports.

A North Carolina native, Chase joined Cape Fear Solar Systems after graduating from Isothermal Community College. His favorite part of working at CFSS is getting to travel all around southeastern North Carolina to help homeowners go solar. In his free time, you can still find him outdoors, but he usually has a fishing pole in his hands.

After 20 years as a paramedic and 10 years as a helicopter medic, Lee joined Cape Fear Solar Systems in 2022. Having always enjoyed making a difference in people’s lives on a personal level, he decided to continue to do so on a broader scale with renewable energy after retiring from the medical field. In his free time, he can often be found woodworking or doing home renovations.

A North Carolina native, David started with Cape Fear Solar Systems in 2021 after attending the University of North Carolina Wilmington. As part of our service team, he troubleshoots and resolves PV issues for both CFSS-installed and adopted systems. When he’s not working, you can find David surfing, at the pool, or working out.

Tyler is a Wilmington native who started at Cape Fear Solar in 2021. While being forklift-certified, he enjoys being up on the roof and maintaining company-adopted PV systems. In Tyler’s free time, you can find him skateboarding, surfing, or hitting the gym.

Noah is a Wilmington native who started at Cape Fear Solar Systems in 2022. He enjoys the tight-knit installation crews and providing the means for homeowners to generate clean energy. When he’s not at work, you can typically find Noah hanging out with his friends or working on his car.

A Southport native, Tyler joined the Cape Fear Solar Systems team as a Solar Installer in 2021. After quickly demonstrating his skill level, he was quickly promoted to Lead Solar Installer and later to Solar Service Technician. His favorite part of his job is getting to work with a great team to make a big impact on our coastal environment. When he’s not ensuring all of our systems are running smoothly. Tyler can be found spending time with his son or at the range.

Jiovonne is a North Carolina native who started at Cape Fear Solar in 2021 after attending Cape Fear Community College. He has a can-do attitude and enjoys installing solar so homeowners can lower their electric bills. Even in his free time, you can usually find him outside–most often at the beach.

Originally from Baltimore, Jesse has a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science and Economics and spent 8 years at Fort Bragg as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. He started at CFSS n 2021 and enjoys installing batteries to provide homeowners with security in their energy independence. In his free time, you can find him working on his house, working out, or paddle boarding.

A Leland native, Ruben started as a warehouse associate with Cape Fear Solar in 2022. An avid learner and highly detail oriented, he loves providing a good work environment in the warehouse/home base for CFSS. When he’s not working, you can find Ruben fishing, playing sports, or at the pool.

A Wilmington native, Kywan joined Cape Fear Solar Systems as a Warehouse Associate in December of 2022. His favorite part of working at CFSS is getting to work as a team to make a lasting impact on the environment and community. In his free time, Kywan can often be found playing basketball, at the gym, or playing video games.

Originally from Little Meadows, Pennsylvania, Jacob joined Cape Fear Solar Systems as a Warehouse Associate in April of 2023. His favorite part of working at CFSS is getting to see the impact our team is making in the community while we help the environment. When he’s out of the warehouse, Jacob can often be found surfing, skateboarding, or making epoxy resin tables.